Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-14
ACTS OF THE LEGISLATURE.

Col. j. B. Peytol, Clerk of the House Of
Delegates, asks that the following card be
published in the REGISTER.
To the Public,
Someof the newspapers of the State have
not hesitated, in measured words Of cen
sure, to attribute to my negligence the de-
lay that has occurred in the publication OF
the Acts of the Legislature for the regular
and extra session Of 1887.
| concede that such delay has been IN
usual and, perhaps, i~neXcusable; but, IN
the same connection, | wish to state, in the
most emphatic terms, that the responsible
ity for it does not attach to the Clerk of the
House of Delegates.
Under the ia VS. of West Virginia, there
are four parties who haze clearly defined
and distinctive duties to perform with ref
erence to the preparation and publication
of the Acts and certificates of iDcorpOn-
ton, viz: the Clerk of the House of Dele
gates, the Secretary Of State, the Public
Printer and the Public Binder. These du-
ties are enumerated section 10, chapter 50,
Acts of 1882, section II, chapter II, Acts
OF 1881, and certain chapters of section ~,
Acts of 1928.
After the close of the extra session on
the 9Th day Of May, 1887, | prepared
promptly briefs OF the contents OF the
chapters of the Acts passed ut that session,
in the form of side notes ,the Acts OF the
regular session having been already
printed), and delivered promptly the manu-
script of such Acts, together with the man
sucript ofthe Joint resolutions, TO the pub
lie printer. l prepared, also promptly a
suitable and convenient index to the Acts
and Joint resolutions passed at both SEES
sions, and then waited how impatiently,
IS known to many at the seat OF govern
ment for the other matter (certlhcates oil
incorporation directed by law to be printed
and bound with the Acts. For the pre-
marathon and delivery of the manu-
script of such ''other matter l was in no
wise responsible, nor for the delay IN
the printing thereof. As an evidence oil
nv desire TO hurry matters, ] may state as
a fact that the printing Of the certificates
| of INCORPORATION was completed on the 9th
| dsy of July, and within two days there
| after the index complete was delivered IN
the hands OF the public printer. affirm
that every possible effort was made by me
10 expedite the publication. | was anX'
ions for certain reasons to have the volume
ont sooner than usual, and have beer
sorely yexed and disappointed at the de
lag.
1t is no more than the truth to add, thai
nv experimental knowledge of the tact
that the public, a. rule, Is more e~-actlns
of those officers who have been long II
continued service, intensified by an ;iety Il
furnish no grounds for complaint.
| cheerfully recognize the right OF the
press TO closely scrutinize my conduct as
pnblic servant, hut that right carries with
IL the duty of impartial fairness as we'll a
discriminating Justice. ! take it, the pub
lie would not have me rest quiet unde
~censure bestowed for either unavoidable
accidents, or, what Ia the present case
more direct to the point, the short com
ings of Others.
Will the press of the State kindly do m
the Justice to make public this card. Call
ing attention to the appended certificate Q
the public printer, l am,
Very respectfully,
J. B. PEyTON,
Clerk Of the House Of Delegates.
CHARLESTON, W. VA.
August Is, 1897. !
hereby certify that there was no della
ON tho part of Col. ]. B. Peyton, Clerk {
the House of Delegates, in the preparatio
and delivery OF the manuscript for tn
Acts and joint resolutions of the regula
and extra session Of the legislature {
Ias7, nor in the preparation and deliver
of the index to the same.
Mo.ps w nnNNATTY